Renee, I feel your (rat) pain, sigh... Last year I had about 30 or 40 apples on my little espaliered Anna. I did not get single one due to the roof rats and ground squirrels (it's the low rent district on the other side of my fence in the abandoned orange orchard for both ground squirrels and rats). Many of my citrus fruits were also damaged. I have finally had to resort to setting up poison bait stations. I am happy so say I've gotten 10 apples off my new Anna, and look to get those 30 or 40 apples all for myself! If you're not willing to get rid of the rodents by poisoning, have you tried bagging your fruit? I know those very clever wire cages will work for SURE, but maybe a cloth bag, which is easier to put on, might also work? I know a lot of folks use the Packco cotton bags for codling moth with apples, and some are using them on stone fruit to keep them away from rodents and birds. I added the link below. Patty S. Here is a link that might be useful: Packco Cotton Bags

Very pretty, and soon to make your house smell wonderful! Patty S.

Xuan, congratulations!! Your hoya is very pretty, and of course especially the blooms! You almost have more flowers than leaves, LOL... Cindy, I'll keep my fingers crossed that it is a peduncle!!Good luck...

Hi Bernie, Thanks for that tip, this potted tree I've actually had going on three years this summer. The first year I bought it, it did not flower. Last year it had a few flowers, but the fruit didn't survive...I am letting just a few develop if the tree will hold the fruit. If not, then it means the tree is not mature enough. Pepa, Beautiful tree!! I agree with Bernie...you have a special Mango tree there. If that tree survived snow! Wow, everything I have read about them is they are all frost sensitive, since they are tropical fruits. You need to take cuttings from that tree or better yet, when you get fruits, save all your seeds and try planting them all. You might just have a new variety that is cold sensitive? Do you know what type of mango variety it was that you bought? By the way did you cover your mango tree at all when it was snowing? Inquiring minds want to know, LOL... You should post that picture with your story on the Tropical fruits forum...I'm sure there are many members that would love to see and hear your success story! Good luck and please keep us posted!